New Orleans Saints 7-Round Mock Draft 2023

The 2023 NFL Draft will be getting underway on April 27th in Kansas City, Missouri, and the New Orleans Saints hold eight draft selections heading into the yearly event. The Saints were able to sneak back into the first round in part of the Sean Payton to Denver trade. New Orleans will officially be on the clock with the 29th overall pick, and they can go many ways with this pick. Heading into the offseason, quarterback was an alarming need for the Saints. New Orleans was able to solve that issue by signing Derek Carr and bringing back Jameis Winston. Other top options for the Saints could be defensive tackle, defensive end, wide receiver, or tight end. With all of that being said, here is the full Saints seven-round mock draft:

Round 1, Pick 29: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

New Orleans was able to bring back Juwan Johnson on a multi-year contract after he had a sensational 2022 campaign. Outside of Johnson, Taysom Hill and Adam Trautman are the active tight ends on the roster. Hill has been one of the bright spots on this Saints roster as he is used in multiple ways, but Trautman is yet to put it together. The Saints add another dynamic tight end by selecting Georgia’s Darnell Washington with their first pick in the draft.

Washington started in 14 games for the Bulldogs during the 2022 season. In 2022, Washington hauled in 27 catches for 440 yards and a touchdown. He is one of the best blocking tight ends in this year’s draft class and excels at hauling in contested catches. The Georgia product has the power to handle blitzes from opposing linebackers.

Round 2, Pick 40: B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

Heading into this year’s draft, defensive end remains one of the top priorities for the Saints. New Orleans lost Marcus Davenport in free agency, and the depth chart is thin at the position. The Saints were able to restructure Cam Jordan’s contract, which will keep him in the ‘Crescent City.’ Jordan isn’t getting any younger, though, and New Orleans could use some help along their defensive front. The black and gold are able to fulfill one of their top needs by taking LSU’s B.J. Ojulari.

Ojulari showed his versatility throughout his collegiate career at LSU as he played at defensive end and linebacker for the Tigers. He is able to show excellent speed to run down quarterbacks and explodes off the ball. During the 2022 season, Ojulari recorded 58 total tackles (36 solo tackles), 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Ojulari was a disruptive pass rusher during his time in Baton Rouge.

Round 3, Pick 71: Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida

The Saints were able to add two new key additions, Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd, during the free agency period. New Orleans was also able to bring back Malcolm Roach, but they also lost Shy Tuttle and David Onyemata. Adding another viable option on the interior of the defensive line is one of the top priorities for the Saints, and they go after one in the third round. The Saints select Florida’s Gervon Dexter with their third-round pick in the draft.

Dexter started at defensive tackle for the Gators in all 13 games. He would finish the 2022 season with 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and a pass breakup. Dexter has all of the tools to be a starter at the next level, and he is a good run defender that can close the gaps.

Round 4, Pick 115: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon

New Orleans continues to zone in on the defensive side of the ball with their next pick as the linebacker core for the Saints lost one of their key players during the 2022 season, Kaden Elliss. The Saints have high hopes for Demario Davis and Pete Werner entering the season. Outside of the dynamic duo, Zack Baun will be the likely candidate to fill the open void that Elliss is leaving behind. The black and gold add another linebacker with upside by selecting Oregon’s Noah Sewell.

Sewell finished his three-year career at Oregon with 215 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He is an impressive pass-rusher for a linebacker and is able to gain leverage on interior offensive linemen.

Round 5, Pick 146: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh

The Saints have been busy this offseason as they try to fill in some of the holes that they have in their roster. One of the question marks heading into the offseason was the running back position. Alvin Kamara is coming off a disappointing 2022 season, and there is a chance that he can miss several games in 2023 due to a suspension. New Orleans added Jamaal Williams into the mix, but you would like to have a complimentary back in the rotation. The Saints take Pittsburgh’s Israel Abanikanda with their first of two selections in the fifth round.

Abanikanda was one of the most electric running backs in college football during the 2022 season. In 2022, Abanikanda rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns on 239 carries. He would add 12 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown through the air. The Pittsburgh product displays elite acceleration and is a threat to score when he gets into open space.

Round 5, Pick 165: Chandler Zavala, IOL, NC State

New Orleans would like to add another player to the interior of their offensive line. Injuries would limit Trevor Penning from seeing the field during his debut season, and the offensive line ranked 28th in the league. There is room for improvement for the Saints offensive line heading into the 2023 season, but there have been guys that have stepped up. Cesar Ruiz has secured his position at right guard, and Ryan Ramczyk has been the heartbeat of this group. New Orleans is able to add another piece to their rotation by selecting NC State’s Chandler Zavala.

Zavala made 13 starts at left guard during the 2022 season and allowed just four pressures on the year. He is an impressive run blocker and is able to play with good leverage.

Round 7, Pick 227: Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland

The Saints were able to excel in last year’s draft at the wide receiver position by taking Chris Olave with the 12th overall pick and adding undrafted rookie free agent Rashid Shaheed. Along with their two rookie sensations, New Orleans was able to lock up Michael Thomas. Thomas is still recovering from an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season. The black and gold add another key piece to the wide receiver position by taking Maryland’s Rakim Jarrett.

During the 2022 season, Jarrett caught 40 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns. Jarrett would cap off his Maryland career with 119 receptions, ten touchdowns, and 1,552 yards. The Maryland product is a versatile and quick prospect in this year’s draft class.

Round 7, Pick 257: Quindell Johnson, S, Memphis

New Orleans was able to retool the backend of their secondary last off-season by adding Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye. Mathieu got off to a slow start to the 2022 season but was able to finish strong with the Saints’ defense. On the other side, Maye dealt with an injury that would sideline him for the majority of the offseason. J.T. Gray and Johnathan Abram will also be in the mix at the safety position heading into the 2023 season. The Saints cap off their 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Memphis’ Quindell Johnson.

Johnson started in all 12 games for the Tigers during the 2022 season. In 2022, Johnson recorded 77 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four interceptions, and four pass breakups. Johnson is one of the most athletic players at the safety position in this year’s draft class and is able to play at multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball.